Distributing system



J. H. BELL.

DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29, 1911.

1 m Patented July 1, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET1.

I. H. BELL.

DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29. I917.

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* PATENT osmosis JOHN HUME BELL, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOREO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMP, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPO [HON OF NEW YORK.

nrsrnrnnrrne SYSTEM.

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Specification of Letters Patent. l Patented July 1, 1919,

Application filcd itug'ust 29, 1917. Serial No. 188,730.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, JOHN H. BELL, a citizen of the United States,

in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Distributing Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention-relates in general to 'distributing systems, and more particularly concerns a selective system that may be used in connection with distributing systems of various types. v i

In a large number of the distributing systems it is necessary, that an operatorat a centraljpoint be. able to distribute messages or other articles se-' plete network of conveying circuits in order I to! satisfactorily handle the service. More residing at East over, in such an oflice it is of considerable importance that the messages be handled quickly and accurately, since otherwise the prompt despatch of the trafiic over the tele-- graph wires may be,

to a large extent, nullified by'the slow handling of the traffic with in the oiiice itself.

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a selective carrier syste'm whereby it is possible to distribute n1essages or other articles from a central point or at least desirable,"

lectively to the various outstations, and that the various outstations in turn may be able to send messages or other .articles to the acter are employed for example in the cash and parcel deliveries in store service, the handling of toll" tickets in telephone exchanges and of telegraph messages in telegraph ofiices.

the employment ofa continuously movin carriage or belt, to wh ch are attached the carriers, but more or less trouble has been experienced in providing a suitable selective system. Heretofore'it has been a common practice to obtain selectively by providing the carriers with projectingarms or levers of various lengths, and equipping the stations with selecting planes adapted to engage the carrier levers, these planes at the different stations being located at different levels, whereby each engagesonly a pro-"' jecting arm of-a certain length. With this arrangement the number of stations; which may Satisfactory means have been provided for the'. conveying of messages by be operated selectively on one route is com where messages have to be dropped and picked up at fifty or sixty positions, in which case it is necessary to install a cemsingle route.

cuit of the carrier is so arranged that it will larly suitable provided with and deliver them at any one of a number of stations, only one route for the carriers being employed. A further object is to provide a system in which the carrier may pick message at any station for delivery to the central point, provided it is not carrying other messages when passing that station. A still further object is to provide a system which will be comparatively simple, lesscumbersome and cheaper to install and maintain than the systems used heretofore.

To accomplish these objects theinvention provides a system inwhich the selectivity is obtained electrically, thereby permitting the use of a large number of stations on a Moreover, the electrical ciroperate to pick up messages at any station, unless already carrying a message, and will deliver such messages only to the central point' The various features of this invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying. drawings illustrating a message carrier system embodying the features in question, and one particufor use in handling telegraph messages. Figure 1 isa view of the carrier showing the selecting mechanism"; Fig. 2 is diagrammatic. view showing the circuit arrangement at the various stations on the line, and Fig. '3 shows more in detail the circuit connections at a certain station.

Thecarrier shown in detail in Fig. 1 is grooved wheels 4, 4 adapted to engage the guides or tracks 5, 5,-along which it is propelled by means of the endless and continuously moving belt 6, this belt in turn being driven by any suitable means, as, for example, by'means of an electric motor 7 23. Bufi'ers 26, 26 of soft rubber or a similar These parts are separated from each other a definite distance by means of the spacer 13 which is held .in place by the screw 14. The

lugs 15, 15 are formed out of and at right angles to the front portion 12, and provide supports for the shaftal6 on which are pivotally mounted the armature 17 of electromagnet 18 and the ticket holding frame 19. Armature 17 is providedwith an extension 20 carrying the rod 21, the ends of whlch are bent at right angles extending through the perforations 22,22 in portion 12 and providing supports for the ticket or message 23. Securely fastened to each upright portion of the ticket holding frame 19 and insulated therefrom is a spring member 24, the .function of which is to hold. the ticket in position- The helical springs 25, 25 serve to press the ticket frame against the chute, and the frame pressing against the rod 21 causes the projections of the latter to bear against the back plate 11 and provide stops forthe ticket material, are provided to-take the strain off the spring members 24 and to make the operation of the mechanism as quiet as possible.

The selective mechanism of the carrier is mounted at one end of the plate 9, and comprises the plunger rods 27- to 32 inclusive, extending through perforations in plate 9, and provided with buttons 33 to 38 respectively. Each of the plungers 27 to 31 inclusive, is provided with an enlarged conical portion 39, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding perforation 40 in the locking plate 41, which is held by means of the supporting members 42, 42. Therefore, when one or more of the buttons 33 to 37 are depressed, the locking plate is forced down by the force of gravity, and the flat spring member 43. The buttons are thus held in the depressed position by the shoulder portion of member 39 bearing against the locking plate 41. The plunger 32 is of the non-- locking type and is provided with a conical portion 44, so positioned that by depressing button 38 the locking plate 41 and any depressed plungers are restored to normal po- 7 sition.. The helical springs 45 are placed between the buttons and plate 9, in order to insure the restoring of the plunger rods to normal position upon depressing button 38. At each station there is provided a set of five switches, so positioned as to be operated by projecting plungers, to cause the dropping of. the message in a manner to be explained hereinafter.

Secured to the bracket portion 52 of plate 9 are the contact springs 53 to 55, insulated from the plate and from each other, and adapted to wipe over a set of contact bars 56 to 58 inclusive, located at each station. At each position where the messages are to be dropped and picked up is a group of contact switches 61 to 65 inclusive, corresponding in number to the contact plungers on the carriers, and so located that, as the carriers pass by these switches, those plungers which were depressed or placed in the selected position will operate to close the corresponding switch contacts. Associated with each switch is a relay 66 to 70, the connections between the relays and switches for a certain station being shown in Fig. 3. The local circuit connections for these relays are different for each station, each group of relays being connected so as to provide a circuit through the entire set of contacts only when one particular combination of contact plungers acts on the contact switches. For the sake of clearnessthe relay contacts 667O are shown in Fig. 2 as being operated directly by the depressed plungers, but it"will be understood that these plungers are arranged to engage the switches 6165, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, and by so doing cause the operation of the corresponding relays. There is also provided at each station a message holder 59 and a receiving basket or chute 60.

The terminals of each set of relay contacts are connected between the contact bars 57 and 58. Contact bars 57at all outstations and contact bar 58 at the distributing station are connected to a grounded source of energy 71. Contact bars 56 at all the stations are grounded.

The operation of the system is as follows: The operator at the central point or distributing station wishing to send a message to a certain outstation places the message in a carrier, depresses certain of the selecting buttons, and causes the carrier to engage the belt 6. Let it be assumed that it is desired to drop a message at station C, in which case the operator will depress buttons 33 and 36, leaving buttons 34, 35 and 37 innormal position. Now as the carrier passes station B, contact springs 53, 54 and 55 will wipe over contact bars 56, 57 and 58'respectively, and at the same time the plungers 27 and 30, operated by depressing the buttons 33 and 36, will engage the corresponding switches and cause the operation of relays 66 and 69. Accordingly, at this station the circuit through the set of relay contacts will not be closed, but will remain open at the contacts of the relay 67. There also will be no path for current-flow through the carrier circuit, due to the fact that the message hei of rod 21 which 55, electromagnet l8, spring53, and contact bar 56, to ground. The energization er electromagnet 18 causes the attraction of its armature 17, overcoming the action of springs 25-, 25, and the resulting moyement presses against the upright armsof holding frame 19 and allows the message 23 to drop into the receiving basket.

As the carrier moves on to the next station, the spring members 53, 54 and-:55 engage contact bars 56, 57 and 58, thereby pro viding a path for current-flow frdtn the grounded source of energy 71, through contact bar 57, contact spring 54, one of the spring members 24, thence through the back portion 11 of the chute, to the second spring member 24, the electromagnet 18, icontact spring 53 "'and contactybar 56, to ground.

Electromagnet 18 is therefore energized, atand causing the frame 19.

tracting its armature 17 for the delivery of the ticket or message,

the time of operation of the ticket .hhlding 1 frame is prolonged. This is brought" about by making the spring members 24 flexible thereby causing them to remain with portion 11 until the frame hasfdpened through a small angle. Before these memhers break contact the extension 72 ofarmature 17 closes the contacts of switch 73, thereby providing a locking winding for the electromagnet 18 so long as contact-sprin 54 engages contact bar 57 and allowing for sufficient time to insure the deliverymf the message. It will thus be seen that, pro vided there is no message in the carrier, the ticket holding frame will open up at each station, and in case that a message has been placed in the holder be picked up upon the holding frame, which springs 53 to 55 leave the contact bars 56 to 58. The spring members 24 will now be insulated from each other by meansg-of the paper message, and the electromagnet lS will therefore not be energized again until the carrier reaches the distributing station. As contact spring 55 wipes over contact bar 58, at the distributing station there will be provided a path for current-flow from the -grounded source of energy 71 through the contact bar 58, contact spring 55. electromagnet 18, contact spring 53, and eentact closing of the ticket performing any fopera- I I of the relay train, to I contact bar 58, thence through contactsprmg in dontact certain points from 'sponslve means individual to said article 59, the message will occurs as the contact bar 56 to ground. The operation of the elec- 'tromagnet thus causes the delivery of the collected ticket into the basket at the distributing station.

Although in the drawing the selecting plungers are shown as operating switches which in turn operate the controlling relays, it is possible under certain conditions to do without the relays entirely, and to provide front and back contact switches which will be actuated directly by the plungers to set up. the desired circuit connections. In the drawings there are keys. With such an arrangement it is possible to install thirty-one diderent stations,

which may be operated selectively on a single route. Obviously, where only a smaller number of stations is desired, it is possible to employ a smaller number of selecting keys. Likewise,

I in case service con ditions are such that it is desired to lace a larger number of stations on a sing e line, I

itwould be possible to obtain the desired selectivity by employing six or more select- ,ing buttons.

What is claimed is:" r

I In an article distributing system, a plurallty of points to which articles are to be distributed, means for conveyingthe articles to said points, a plurality of contact springs at each point so connected as to electrically distinguish certain points from other points,

a plurality of plungers individual to said article conveying means, means for rendering said plungers responsive only to the electrical conditlon existing at certain given points, and means operated by said plungers to release an article from said article conveying means.

2. In an article distributing system, a plurality of points to which articles are to be distributed, means for conveying the articles to said points, a plurality of switches at each point so connected as to distinguish other points, electrorerality of points to which articles are to be distributed, means for conveying the articles to said points, a plurality of switches at each point, a plurality of electromagnetic devices at each point coiiperating with said shown five selecting switches and'so connected as to distinguish I certain points from other points, electroresponsive means individual to sald article conveying means, means for rendering. said electroresponsive means responsive only to the electrical condition existing at certain given points, and means operated by said.

p to said carrier, means for rendering said electroresponsive means responslve only to electroresponsive means to release an from said article conveying means. 4. In an article distributing system, a plurality ofpoints to which articles are to be distributed, a guiding way extending to such points, a carrier adapted to travel on said guiding way, a plurality of contact spring article at each point so'connected as to electrically distinguish that vpoint from certain other points, electroresponsive means individual the electrical condition existing at certain given points, and means operated by said electroresponsive means to release an article from said carrier.

3 points.

and operable. to release an article from the carrier, and means for rendering said electroresponsive means responsive only tothe electrical condition existing at certain given 6. In a distributing system,.a plurality of points to which messages are tobe distributed, a guiding way extending to such points, a carrier adapted to travel on said guiding way, said carrier including a chute adapted to receive a, message to be delivered, a holding frame pivotally mounted on said chute and means for normally holding said Q frame against said chute, contact springs attached to and insulated from said frame, said springs being joined electrically by the chute when no message is being carried and at other times insulated fromeach other by the message beingcarried in the chute, means at each point for electrically distinguishing certain points from otherpoints, electroresponsive means individual to said carrier and operable to release a message from said carrier, and means for rendering said electroresponsive means responsive only to the electrical condition existing at certain.

given points. v

7. In a distributing system, a plurality of points to which messages are to bedistributed, a guiding way extending to such points, a carrier adapted to travel on said guiding way, an electromagnetic device mounted on said carrier, 3, message holding frame operated by said electromagnetic device to release a message from said carrier, a switching device actuated upon the partial operation of said electromagnetic device to lnsure the complete operatlon of said message holding frame, and means for causing said electromagnetic device to respond only to the electrical condition existing at certain given points.

8. In an article distributing system, a plurality of points to which articles are to be distributed, a plurality of switches at each point so connected as to distinguish certain points from other points, a guiding way extending to such points, a carrier adapted to travel on said guiding way to convey the articles to said points, an electromagnetic device individual to said carrier, a plurality of plungers on said carrier adapted upon operation to engage said switches, thereby causing the operation of said electromagnetic device at certain predetermined points, and means for causing said electromagnetic device to respond only to the electrical cone dition existing at certain given ponts.

9. In an article distributing system, a plurality of points to which articles are to be distributed, a plurality of switches at each point so connected as to distinguish certain points from other points, a guiding way extending to such points, a carrier adapted to travel on said guiding way to convey the articles to said points, an electromagnetic device individual to said carrier, a plurality of plungers on said carrier adapted upon operation to engage said switches, thereby causing the operation of said electromagnetic device at certain predetermined points, a locking plate adapted to maintain said plungers'in an'operated condition, a restoring key adapted to restore said plungers to normal condition, and means for causing said electromagnetic device to respond only to the electrical condition existing at certain given points.

10. In an article distributing system, a plurality of points to which articles are to be distributed, means for conveying the erticles to said points, said conveying means including article-collecting and delivering means, means at each point, for normally causing the operation of said collecting means as the conveying means passes such point, and electrical means controlled by an article collected at one 'point for preventing the operation of said collecting means as the conveying means passes other points.

11. In a distributing system, a plurality of points to which messages are to be distributed, means for conveying. the messages to said points, means at each point for electrically distinguishing that point from certain other points, electroresponsive means individual to said message-conveying means,

means for causing said electroresponsive means to respond only to the electrical condition existing at certain given points, means neesai operated by said electroresponsive means to release a message from said conveying means, and means for collecting a message at any station provided no-message is then being carried.

12. In a distributing system, a plurality of points to which messages are to be dis 'tribu'ted, means for conveying the messages to said points, means at each point for elec means for rendering said electroresponsive means responsive only to the electrical .con-

dition existing at certain given points, means operated by said electroresponsive means to release a message from said conveying means, and means for collecting a message at any station provided no message is then being carried, said means including a'plurality of contact bars at each plurality of contact springs on said conveying means so connected as to cause operation of said electroresponsive means at each point provided no message is then being carried. 13. in an article distrilmting system, a distributing station, a" pli'irality of outsta: tions, means for conveying messages to said stations, electrical means for distr buting messages selectively from said distributing station to said outstations, means operated automatically for collecting messages at any point, and a outstation provided no message is then be ing carried, and means for releasing such collected messages at the distributing statlon.

14. in a distributing system, a distributing station, a plurality of outstations to which messages are to be distributed, a guiding Way extending to said stations, a can rier including a message chute adapted to travel on said guiding Way, an endless belt adapted to propel said carrier along said guiding Way, a plurality of switches at each station, a plurality of electromagnetic devices at each station cooperating with said switches and so connected as to distinguish the various stations from each other electrically, anelectromagnetic device individual to said carrier, a message holding frame operated by said electromagnetic device to release a message at a predetermined station,

said holding frame comprising a pair of spring contact members insulated from said chute by means of the message being carried, a switching member onsaid carrier actuated upon the partial operation of said electromagnetic device for insuring the complete operation of said holding frame, a plurality of plungers mounted on said carrier and adapted when operated to engage said switches, and a restoring key for restoring said plungers to normal condition.

In Witness whereof, ll hereunto subscribe nay rname this 24th day of August, A. D. 191' JUHN HUME BELL. 

